Bhutan Travel and Birds
Bhutan Travel and Birds is a compact 7 Nights 8 Days Bird Watching Itinerary covering Thimphu, Paro, Chelela Pass, Punakha and Trongsa. We have tried to cover Bhutan in the best possible way within 7 nights in regards to Bird watching. The tour also gives the opportunity to explore other aspects of Bhutan such as the cultural aspects.
Tour Highlights – Bhutan Travel and Birds
- Opportunity to see and understand birds in Bhutan, many of them either extinct in other Places or vulnerable.
- Opportunity to visit the Dochula Pass, one of the most famous places in Bhutan and Chelela Pass, famous for Sky Burial and bird Watching.
- Opportunities to walk around less touristy places and villages in Punakha and Paro.
- Travel hassle free with your own guide and driver. Travel as per your convenience and visit places as per your interest. We are flexible with the itineraries except for the confirmed overnight destinations. Enjoy a real holiday.
- Personal attention by the tour operators.
- A private traditional cultural show and experience of the traditional hotel stone bath.
- Wonderful day hike to the abode of gods and monks, the world famous, Taktshang Monastery (Tigers’ nest)
- Visit to the age old Lhakhang (Monasteries/ temples) and dzongs ( Fortress)
- Opportunity to explore villages, visit to village houses and interact with local people.
- Opportunity to play archery (the national game of Bhutan) and many more.
Trip Rating: Easy – Moderate
Travel Type: Bird Watching, Hikes, Tour, Photography, Nature, Culture, People and lifestyle, Villages, etc
Total Duration: 7 Nights, 8 Days
Destinations: Paro, Thimphu, Punakha/ Wangdue, Trongsa and Chelela Pass
Arrival: Paro Airport
Departure: Paro Airport
Day 01: Arrive Paro – Thimphu
Day 03: Jigme Dorji National Park (1670m) at Punakha.
Day 04: Punakha to Trongsa
Day 05: Trongsa to Thimphu
Day 6: Thimphu – Paro
Day 07: Chelela Pass.
Day 8: Departure
Detailed Itinerary – Bhutan Travel and Birds
Day 01: Arrive Paro – Thimphu
Arrive Paro (2280m) where you will be received by a tour guide from Neptune Holidays Bhutan and proceed to Thimphu (56 kms / 1 and half hour journey). On your journey towards Thimphu you might encounter bird species like Ibis bill, River Lapwing, Grey-backed Shrike, Oriental Turtle Dove, Rufous-breasted Accentor, Hodgson’s Redstart and perhaps Black-tailed Crake. If time permits do Birding / sightseeing around Thimphu (2320m). Overnight in Thimphu.
Day 02: Thimphu to Wangdue (77 kms / 3 hrs)
Morning, drive along central highway to Dochula (3140m). Bird on the east side of pass by walking the highway. Here we have a good chance of finding White-Throated, Striated and Chestnut-Crowned Laughingthrushes, Darjeeling Woodpecker, Hoary-throated Barwing, Fire-tailed Myzornis, Rufous-winged Fulvetta, Rusty –flanked Treecreeper, Red- headed Bullfinch and many more. Afternoon drive to Punakha (1250m) valley and do birding along Pho Chhu. Here you have a very good chance to sight White-bellied Heron (rare species / less than 200 in nos.). Overnight at Wangdue.
Day 03: Jigme Dorji National Park (1670m) at Punakha.
In the morning, drive to Jigme Dorji National Park and do birding. Pallas’s Fish-eagle, Crested Kingfisher, Slaty-backed Forktail can usually be found along the river. We also hope to find Yellow- Vented Warbler in the forests here, whilst white-bellied Heron may be found with luck. Other possibilities include Great and Golden-throated Barbets, Grey-hooded Warbler, Maroon Oriole, Grey Treepie, Black-winged Cuckoo-shrike, Slaty-bellied Tesia, Fire–breasted Flowerpeacker, Black throated Sunbird and many more. Afternoon visit Punakha Dzong (One of the impressive fort in a country). Overnight in Wangdue.
Day 04: Punakha to Trongsa (125 kms / 3-4 hrs).
Depart for Trongsa (1980m) via Pelela pass (3225m). Different species of birds you might encounter are Straited, Bhutan Laughingthrush, Yellow-rumped Honeyguide, Himalayan Griffon, Chestnut-bellied Rock Thrush, Grey-sided Bush-warbler, Fire-tailed Sunbird, Yuhinas, Great Parrotbill, Red-billed Choughs and many more. Afternoon do birding south of Trongsa where you might find some Forktails. Overnight in Trongsa.
Day 05: Trongsa to Thimphu (200 Kms / 6-7 hours).
After breakfast drive back to Thimphu with various stops on a way for birding. Overnight in Thimphu .
Day 06: Thimphu – Paro (56kms 1 & half hour)
Spend the morning birding at Begana (2650m) area (15 Kms north of Thimphu). Different species of birds you might see are Yellow-billed Blue Magpie, Black-faced and white-throated Laughingthrush, Long-tailed Thrush, White-collared Blackbird, Brown Dipper, Plumbeous Water Redstart, Tits and Warblers too. There is also a possibility of sighting Yellow-rumped Honeguide. Afternoon drive to Paro and do birding around Pachhu area.
Overnight in Paro.
Day 07: Chelela Pass.
Spend the morning birding at Chelela pass (3800m/36kms). This is a good location for Himalayan Monal. Blood and Kalij Pheasant are also possible here. Other possibilities include Yellow-billed Blue Magpie, Grey-crested & Rufous-fronted Tits, Black-faced Laughingthrush, Long-tailed Thrush, White-collared Blackbird, Collared Grosbeak, Winter Wren, White-browed and Dark-rumped Rosefinch. Afternoon free time to do Sightseeing around Paro valley. Overnight in Paro at hotel.
Day 08: Departure:
Your tour guide and a chauffeur will see you off at Paro Airport.
Important Notes – Bhutan Travel and Birds
The comfort, convenience and interest of the travelers is very important to us. We are flexible with the itinerary. Sightseeing can be done as per the convenience and interests of the guests. If it is of interest to the guest, they may choose to visit places that may not be in the itinerary, except for the change of overnight destination.
We reserve the right to change the itinerary or hotels anytime as may be required to, in case of unforeseen contingencies (natural/man made) or unavailability of hotels.
Some of the sites to be visited may be closed on government holidays or during breaks. In such cases we shall do other sightseeing in its place.
This itinerary can be tailor made for any duration or within any destination and can be combined with any kind of activities such as trekking, rafting, walking tour, cycling , etc.
It is advisable to book “Bhutan Travel and Birds” at least 6 months prior to the travel date because of limited Bhutan tourism infrastructures and inventories.